Darya Ellickson holds a BFA in Dance Performance from Northern Illinois University. During her time at NIU, she directed two productions, the Student Choreographic Showcase and the Art for Life Show which benefited Chicago Dancers United, an organization that helps raise money for dancers and communities. Additionally, she held the role of Northern Dance Theater President helping organize events and fundraise for the program, which brings in guest artists. She has performed for the Spirit of the Horse equestrian show in Lake City, Florida, Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre and Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre. She has worked with Paula Frasz, Marc Macaranas, Judith Chitwood, Michel Rodriquez- Cintra, Rich Grund, Joshua Ishmon, and Brian Enos and many more. As a leader, Darya is focused, engaged and values help by asking intuitive questions and working respectively with her students, ensemble, and her team. She loves exploring new perspectives, ideas or creations because it gives her a sense that the work that she is doing makes her feel alive and present in the work she does. Her dancing, choreography and leadership brings in unique and creative ideas, encouraging dancers to bring in their own flavor and style to make dances engaging and to keep an audience excited to see her creations. Bringing in her appreciation, passion and influence of all styles of dance, she keeps her independent signature and foundation exuberant.